Gaul able to reach long jump mark

SHIPPENSBURG - Derek Gaul couldn't help but be surprised. The number was so big, the achievement so elusive, it took a minute before he realized what he'd done.

Berks County's most unbreakable track and field record was broken.

Gaul reached 24-61/2 in the long jump at the District 3 Championships at Seth Grove Stadium Friday. He eclipsed Kim Piersol's 46-year-old mark by 23/4 inches and easily claimed Double-A gold.

The Schuylkill Valley senior, a three-time district champion, pumped his fist and smiled as soon as his distance was announced.

A minute or so later, he walked to a solitary spot on the infield turf, knelt down and fought back tears.

"I'm honored to be able to break that record," Gaul said. "I was very happy I did. At the same time, overcoming everything I did and all the people who helped me through it, it was amazing."

Gaul has enjoyed a star-crossed career highlighted by unrelenting excellence and an endless string of injuries.

A week ago, he didn't attempt to defend his Firing Meet championship because of a lower back ailment. He wanted to make sure he was healthy for districts and had a chance to pursue this milestone.

Gaul's jump was 53/4 inches farther than the district mark set by Oley Valley's Barry Stebbins in 1973, but will not be acknowledged as a record because of the wind. It will be listed in the Berks books.

Schuylkill Valley's star was impressive from the outset Friday. He hit a personal best at 23-111/2 on his first attempt, eight inches farther than he'd jumped since March.

"In warmups he looked strong and fast, so I knew it was possible," Reinert said. "After his first jump, he proved his fitness. It was just a matter of getting him up to the edge of the board to perfect everything."

Gaul hit 24-61/2 on his third and final preliminary attempt. With first place and the county record assured, he didn't jump in the finals.

Health has always been a concern for Gaul, who battled leg muscle injuries as a sophomore and junior. When his back started to bother him in the middle of this season, he began to wonder if he could reach this level.

Gaul hadn't jumped into a pit in practice for three weeks and underwent physical therapy leading up to Friday's competition.

"When I hurt my back and I was jumping 23-3, 23-2, I thought, 'I'm not going to break this record,'" Gaul said. "'There's no way. I'm not healthy enough.' The fact that I did it is surprising to me."

Gaul had no rivals in the county or district, so his motivation has been exceeding the all-time greats. Reinert began to mention Piersol's mark to Gaul last season, shortly before the junior won PIAA gold.

It came into sharper focus this spring, especially after Gaul reached 23-8 at the Oxenreider Relays two months ago.

Gaul didn't play basketball in the winter so he could concentrate on his track workouts. His place in Berks annals was important to him.

Now it is secure.

"He's a man among boys," Reinert said. "He's been doing this for a long time. He's mentally superior to everybody too. He gets locked in and he can accomplish anything his body will let him."

Reinert's best jump was 23-81/2, a half-inch longer than Gaul's PB before Friday. When the coach reminded the pupil of that before his first attempt, Gaul help up his index finger.

"I knew I was going to break that today," he said with a smile.

The country record was another story. No one presumed to break the one that stood since Piersol was at Gov. Mifflin in 1965.

There have been many other elite long jumpers since then, including Stebbins, Boyertown's Jeremy Culver and Muhlenberg's Chris Aikens.

Gaul jumped past them all.

"It shows that if someone has focus, has a good head on his shoulders and does hard work and training, anything can be done," Reinert said.